Fireboat on Puget Sound. Firefighters spray water from equipment mounted on the stern of the fireboat.

Vessels - Boats - Fireboats - Tacoma

Tony Hull's children at beach. Young boy straining to row a boat across the water. Long wharf in background.

Vessels - Boats - Row Boats

The launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer 408, the U. S. S. Wilson, took place April 12, 1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton. At 90% complete, the vessel was 341-feet-long with 1725 tons displacement. It carried a complement of 9 officers and 175 men. It was commissioned July 5, 1939 and received eleven battle stars for service in World War II. After sustaining damage during the war, it was selected as a target during the atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll in July of 1946. It was decommissioned in August of 1946 but remained afloat and was finally scuttled off Kwajelein in March of 1948. (T. Times, 4/13/39, p.20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer #408, the U. S. S. Wilson, on April 12, 1939. The ship was decorated with pennants and bunting and photographed at dock in the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton. Ship launchings at the Navy yard differed from those at Tacoma Shipyards. The craft was built in a construction dock which was flooded for launching, much like a bathtub. The launching consisted of the gates being opened and the boat towed out into the Sound. The destroyer under construction in the background was almost entirely submerged during the ceremony. (T. Times 4/13/1939, p. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

The destroyer USS Wilson (#408) was launched April 12,1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. On hand for the launching were, left to right, Rear Admiral E. B. Fenner, Mrs. Fenner (sponsor), Governor Clarence Martin, Mrs. Arthur B. Langlie, Major General Walter C. Sweeney. Mrs. Sweeney, and Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie. The vessel was named after Seaman Charles Wilson, who was recognized for distinguished service in the Navy during the Civil War. (T.Times 4/13/1939, pg. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton);Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Seattle; Fenner, Edward B.; Sweeney, Walter C.;

ca. 1939. Unidentified captain in suit and hat at controls of boat. Photograph taken circa 1939.

Boats--1930-1940;

Ferry boats. The "Defiance" steamer on the Sound. Island in background. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferryboats for Mr. Peterson. The ferry "Vashonia" in front, with two other ferries docked behind in this late January, 1940, photograph.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferry boats. The "Defiance." Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

The ferries "Vashonia," "Fox Island," and "The City of Steilacoom" are moored side-by-side in January of 1940. The increasing number of cars and need for fast service for commuters led to the building of many ferries in the 1920's. They were swift and comfortable and due to the lack of major bridges, a more convenient way to travel for those living on the Olympic peninsula than driving for miles on often bad roads. These three ferries had been built by the Skansie (Brothers) Shipbuilding Co. in Gig Harbor for their Washington Navigation Company. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Ferries--1940-1950;

Ferry Boats. "Vashonia" at ferry landing. Ordered by Mr. Peterson.

Vessels; Ferries;

Ticket for the last ferry ride across the Narrows, on July 2, 1940 aboard the Kalakala. Ferry service was being suspended due to the opening of the first Narrows Bridge and locals could become a part of history for only one dollar. The Young Mens Business Club (YMBC) was sponsoring the ride as part of the 6 day celebration of the joint dedication of the Narrows Bridge and McChord Field. Over 1400 revellers boarded the ferry at the Tacoma Municipal, Point Defiance or Gig Harbor docks for the rollicking four hour ride to Bremerton and back. The entertainment included music and dancing with period costumes optional. TPL-6714, TPL-6725.

Kalakala (Ferry); Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ferries--Tacoma;

ca. 1940. Three people on small wooden vessel docked in marina. Names of individuals and location not provided for this circa 1940 photograph. (T. Times).

Boats--1940-1950;

This covered steel barge was launched on January 25, 1941 at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., 1501 Railroad Ave. It was ordered by the Navy and was fabricated by Birchfield Boilers. The barge was 110 feet long and 34 feet wide. It was the second ship to be delivered to the Navy in 1941. [T Times, 1/27/1941, pg. 12].

Barges--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Waterfronts; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A covered steel barge is shown docked at J. M. Martinac Shipbuilders on the Thea Foss Waterway on January 27, 1941. The vessel was ordered by the Navy and fabricated by Birchfield Boilers. The vessel is 110 feet long and 34 feet wide. [T Times, 1/27/1941].

Barges--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

This photograph from January 1941 shows a newly completed 110 ft. by 34 ft. covered steel barge being launched at the J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. yards. Built by the Birchfield Boiler Company, the barge was the second ship to be finished for the United States Navy in Tacoma in 1941. The J. M. Martinac shipbuilding facilities have been part of the Tacoma waterfront since 1924. They are the Thea Foss Waterway's oldest continuous tenant. [T. Times, 1/27/1941, pg. 12].

Barges--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Waterfronts; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Galley area of fishing boat, bunks on left

Galleys (Ship kitchens); Fishing boats--1940-1950;

Fishing boat galley w/wood stove, sink and food storage

Galleys (Ship kitchens); Stoves; Fishing boats--1940-1950;

Fishing boat engine as pictured on May 10, 1941. Ship was not identified.

Boat engines; Fishing boats--1940-1950;

Interior of fishing boat hull

Fishing boats--1940-1950;

Bunk and galley area in front of engine in fishing boat

Galleys (Ship kitchens); Boat engines; Fishing boats--1940-1950;

On Tuesday, August 5, 1941, O.V. Snyder's yacht, the "Klatawa", was "drafted" into government service. It was the first private yacht in Tacoma to be taken over by the U.S. government to be used by the Coast Guard for harbor patrol work. It was to be used around the tide flats and the port to keep an eye on industrial plants involved in defense work. A representative of the Coast Guard stated at the time that 20 boats in the Columbia River and Puget Sound district would eventually be commandeered. The yachts were taken for specific periods. (T. Times 08-05-1941 p.4)

Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950

Admiral boat owned by Mr. Anderson.

Boats;

This photograph is an overview of the ceremony on December 18, 1942 when the Tacoma Boat Building plant was presented with an "E Award" by the Army & Navy. The "E Award" was a production award, and the shipyard's was the first given for production of minesweepers. The award consisted of a "E" flag to fly over the plant and a pin for each employee. The company also took this opportunity to launch their newest minesweeper, the YMS 244.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Before a crowd of about 200, Tacoma Boat Building launched the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942. Later in the day, the company was presented with an "E Award" flag for excellence in the wartime production of minesweepers. More than 4,000 "E Pennants" were present to plants during WWII. They were a visible recognition of the patriotism and devotion of the company and its employees. (T. Times 12/19/1942, pg. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

December 18, 1942 was a very special day for Tacoma Boat Building. The company launched its newest minesweeper YMS 244 and received an Army/Navy "E" award flag. The "E" award was given for excellence in war production. The famous flag with the big "E" emblazoned on it became a badge of patriotism in action. The award consisted of a flag to be flown over the plant and a lapel pin for every employee within the plant. During the ceremony, an unidentified military officer makes a speech before a crowd of around 200. Music for the ceremony was supplied by the Coast Artillery Band.

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Following the launching of the YMS 244 on December 18, 1942, Capt. A. C. Thomas presented "E" pins to the employees of Tacoma Boat Building. The pins were in recognition of their excellence in the production of mine sweepers. Various foreman from the Company's yard posed with Captain Thomas for this photograph. Pictured are, back row left to right, Lawrence Teasley, Clarence Hopkins, Bill Kvam, Clarence White, George Rau, John Kvamme and Walter Oliver. Front row, John Flintoff, F.L. Criswell, Capt. Thomas and Hugh McCreadie. (T. Times 12/23/1942, pg. 16)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

On December 18, 1942, Tacoma Boat Building received an "E Award" for excellence in wartime minesweeper production. One of several military men makes a speech at the ceremony. The sign board over speaker's box reads, "And if our lives should form and break; Because of things you fail to make; The extra tank or ship or plane; For which we waited all in vain; And the supplies that never came; Will you then come and take the blame; For we, not you, will pay the cost; Of battles you, not we, have lost!"

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

December 18, 1942 was a Red Letter Day for Tacoma Boatbuilding. The company, owned by Arne Strom and Haldor Dahl, received an "E" Award flag and launched a minesweeper, the YMS 244. The "E" Award was from the Army & Navy for excellence in the wartime production of mine sweepers. The shipyard was located at 2142 E. "D." Arne Strom was able to be present but Mr. Dahl was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester , Minn. and was unable to get there on time for the ceremony. (T. Times 12/19/1942, pg. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Minnie (Mrs. John) Flintoff smiled at the camera above her enormous bouquet of roses after sponsoring the launch of the minesweeper YMS 244 on December 18, 1942. Her husband John was the outfitting foreman at Tacoma Boat Building Co. She posed next to her daughter Dorothy. The Flintoff family resided at 1112 So. Oakes and included John Jr. and Bentley, who was serving with the US Air Corps. (T. Times 12/23/1942, pg. 16)

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Flintoff, Minnie; Flintoff, Dorothy; Flintoff, John--Family;